Fish tape winder



Nov. 28, 1967 w. G. SCHINSKE 3,355,123

FISH TAPE WINDER Filed Sept. 30, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 28, 1967 w. G. SCHINSKE 3,355,123

FISH TAPE WINDER Filed Sept. 30, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 United States Patent "ice 3,355,123 FISH TAPE WINDER Wiliiam G. Schinske, Sycamore, Ill., assignor to Holub Industries, Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 491,521 16 Claims. (Cl. 242-843) This invention relates to improvements in electrical fish tape winders commonly employed by electricians for threading electrical wires through conduit.

Fish tape is a term applied by electricians to a long, relatively flat spring steel tape or wire, which comes in varying widths and has a hook at one end for the receipt of an electrical lead. For storage purposes, the tape is coiled on a reel, but because of its construction, it strongly resists coiling, and when coiled, acts very much like a clock spring having a substantial amount of stored energy which, if released, would act in a direction to uncoil or straighten out the tape.

In order that tape of this type may be efliciently handled, it is desirable that a reel be constructed for the storage of the tape which will permit the tape to be paid out or reeled in while maintaining the coiled portion of the tape under control at all times so as to prevent the release of the energy stored in the coiled tape which would otherwise present a safety hazard to the user, as well as great inconvenience. Thus, complete manipulative control of fish tape is the essence of the present invention.

The present invention has, as an object, the provision of an improved fish tape winder having a reel capable of accommodating and maintaining complete control of tape irrespective of its width.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fish tape winder constructed of a high impact dielectric material which effectively prevents conduction of elec trical current through the fish tape to the user, as a result of inadvertent contact with a hot wire. An object related to the foregoing is the provision of an improved fish tape winder which is not only corrosion free, but highly resistant to wear, particularly in the area where the fish tape passes through the reel.

A further objective of the invention is the provision of an improved fish tape reel, having a highly simplified construction thereby substantially reducing the cost of manufacture while at the same time providing the numerous advantages enumerated hereinabove.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially sectioned, illustrating a fish tape winder constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating an exemplary fish tape reel constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown fragmented and exploded to illustrate the details in construction thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 illustrating particularly the relationship of the handle and die with respect to the reel;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial section similar to FIG. 3 showing a portion of the reel and associated guides, and illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragment of the brake on the guide of the FIG. 4 embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial section similar to FIG. 3 showing a portion of the reel and associated guides, and illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar views of the edges of the reel illustrating two additional embodiments.

Patented Nov. 28, 1967 While the invention is susceptible of various modifiertions and alternative constructions, a few preferred illustrative embodiments have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It will be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed. The intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

With reference now more particularly to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown an electrical fish tape winder of improved construction, designated by the identifying character 10. The fish tape winder comprises, in the general case, a relatively long strip of flat tape T which is coiled for storage purposes in a ring-shaped reel 11. The tape is provided with a hooked forward or leading end portion 14 which is adapted to receive an electrical lead. It will be appreciated that a fish ball or other device may be employed at the end 14 if desired. In use, the tape is fed or paid out from its coiled condition in the reel, through a slot in the reel, and through the conduit which is to contain the electrical lead. The lead is then hooked into the end 14, and the fish tape T is re-coiled on the reel, pulling the lead through the conduit as it goes.

The tape is highly resilient and thus contains large amounts of stored energy making it difficult and somewhat dangerous to handle. In order to provide controlled guidance of the tape, therefore, as it is paid out or reeled in, a combination guide and feeder device 16 is provided, which engages the tape providing a high degree of control thereover as it leaves its coiled condition in the reel.

It is now proposed, in accordance with the present invention, to form the reel 11, and the handle 16 of a high impact, dielectric material, such as, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is commercially available under the name Cycolac, a registered trademark of Borg-Warner Corporation. It will be appreciated that other materials may also be employed with equal facility, including materials which will be transparent, and the specific mention of Cycolac is by way of example and not by way of limitation. Where the material used is opaque, e.g., Cycolac, port holes may be provided in the side walls to permit the user to see how much tape is left. In order to retain the advantages afforded the user by the dielectric plastic, clear plastic buttons may be placed in the port holes to insulate this area from the user.

By using a plastic material, it is now possible for the reel to be inexpensively produced by molding, and it is an additional feature of the FIGURES 1 through 6 cmbodiments that the reel 11 is economically formed as a combination of two identical members or reel sections 20. Thus, referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the reel sections 20 are so constructed as to be interfittable to form the reel fo FIG. 1. To this end, each member 20 is formed with a radially extending circular side wall 22 which terminates outwardly in a laterally extending, inwardly turned flange 24.

As will be observed in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tape T is paid out past the edges 26 of flanges of the joined reel sections 20. In order to secure the members to one another, therefore, each member is formed with interlocking wall sections disposed radially inwardly of the flange 24. Because each of the members 20 is identical, when they are engaged to form a reel, one member must be reversed with respect to the other so as to present a substantial mirror image thereof. This is the arrangement in FIG. 2. In order to permit suitable engagement of the members in this disposition, therefore, it is necessary to provide engaging sections which complement one another. Thus, in the exemplary reel shown in FIG. 2,

a) two such complemental wall sections are illustrated on each member. It will be appreciated that any given member may have a plurality of such sections without departure from the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each reel section has a section indicated generally by the identifying character 30, and a complemental section is identified at 31. The engaging section comprises a laterally inwardly extending arcuate wall portion which is, for the most part, disposed substantially parallel to the flange 24, and as will be noted, extends further inwardly. The section 31 likewise comprises a wall 37 which is formed radially outwardly of the wall 35 by an amount equal to the thickness of the wall, but is otherwise of complementary shape. The are traversed by the wall 35 is a matter of convenient design, and may be as much as 180 degrees, in which case, one such section 30 would be formed on a member 20 and diametrically opposite that section, a like section would be formed. Alternate sections would resemble section 31. Thus, when another member was reversed for interfitting engagement, a section 30 would meet in tight overiapping engagement with the section 31, thereby permitting an adhesive between the overlapping surfaces to bond the sections together. Further, it Will be appreciated that the wall 37 might just as easily be on a radius which is shorter than that of the wall 35, which would result in the wall 42 engaging the underside of the wall 35 instead of the outer surface, as is the illustrated case.

It will now be seen that a chamber is defined between the side walls 22, the flanges 24 and inner walls 30 and 31, which chamber houses the tape T, shown in FIG. 3 in neatly coiled condition. As a practical matter, however, the coils will not be neat, but on the contrary, quite disoriented.

Each wall section 30 and 31 is formed with one or more lips or inturned portions defined by inwardly slanting walls 49. In the embodiment shown, each wall section 39 and 31 terminates at either end in such a wall 42, conveniently, but not necessarily, having the same inward slant as the walls 49. When the sections 20 are engaged to form the reel, these walls together define finger gipping enlargements on the inner wall of the reel identified genrally at 45.

Because of the high energy in the coiled tape it is desirable to secure one end Within the reel. To this end, there is provided a transverse tab or tongue in one of the enlargements, which is formed integrally with one of the sections 20. The tongue extends across the chamber where it engages a complementary boss 52 which receives the end of the tongue in a slot 54 to hold the same thereby defining a bridge to secure the tape. The inner end of the tape is simply bent around the tongue and is thereafter anchored to the reel.

As previously suggested, a suitable adhesive may be used on all mating surfaces of the complemental sections 30 and 31 to secure the reel sections. Alternatively, some suitable sort of clamping arrangement might be employed which would permit the reel to be disassembled for removal and replacement of the tape. Because of the energy stored in the tape .in its coiled condtion, however, it is recommended that the parts of the reel be firmly secured to prevent the tape from breaking the reel open.

Control of the tape is an essential feature of the invention. The sections are purposely constructed, therefore, with the length of the wall members 35 and 37 relative to the inturned flange portions 24 such (when the reel is assembled) that the width thereof at the interengaged walls 35 and 37 is less than the width of the reel at its periphery. Thus, the edges 26, when the reel is assembled, abut one another under substantial pressure. Accordingly, whereas fish tape reels of prior known construction provided an open slot between the inturned flanges 24, no such slot is provided in the reel of the present invention. Indeed, the reel 11 makes use of the strength and resiliency of the material of which it is formed so that, as seen in FIG. 3, as tape passes between the flanges from the coil within the reel, the side wall portions 22 are deflected outwardly by an amount equal to the tape width to accommodate passage of the fish tape. The deflection, however, is localized, occurring at the point where the fish tape passes the flanges 24-, and the remainder of the flanged area remains in abutting relation, thus securing the reel against the passage of dirt and other foreign matter into the reel, and the inadvertent release of the tape within the reel to the outside other than at the desired point of exit.

Further in keeping with the invention, the combination tape feeder and guide member 16 is so constructed as to embrace the flanges 24 of the assembled reel, the edges 26 of which serve as circular rails upon which the guide rides to either pay out or reel in tape. To this end, and referring to FIG. 3, the handle 16 is provided with a forward guide foot 60, which is disposed within the toroidal reel chamber which houses the tape. The foot 60 is connected to the main portion of the feeder disposed above the reel as seen in FIG. 3, by a narrow connecting stem 62. This portion is preferably narrower than the tape used so that the edges of the flanges frictionally engage the tape rather than being spread by the guide. Thus, optimum pressure is kept on the high energy tape. Just above the flanges 24 the feeder is formed with a flat fin 65. The fins and the foot 60 together define a channel on either side of the connecting portion 62 which embraces the flange 24 of the members 29 in bearing relation to permit the handle to be moved thereon.

Referring in FIG. 1, the handle is provided with a gripping handle 67 for receipt of the electricians hand for convenience in use. A second stabilizing foot 70 is provided beneath the rearward portion of the handle and is connected by portion 72 to the handle. The foot 70 functions in essentially the same manner as the foot 60 to provide additional stability to the handle as it moves about the reel. The handle 16 defines a suitable slot 74 through which the tape T is initially threaded. As is the case with predecessor reels, as the handle is moved clockwise as seen in FIG. 1, the tape T is reeled in, and counterclockwise movement of the handle about the reel will cause the tape T to be paid out.

In spite of the numerous control features built into the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3, the energy stored in a coil, particularly in the one-quarter inch (MW) tapes may be so substantial when tightly coiled that it will have a tendency to drive the guide 16 counterclockwise about the reel, as seen in FIG. 1, in a direction tending to uncoil itself.

FIG. 4 discloses an alternative embodiment of the invention which includes a braking arrangement adapted to further inhibit the tendency of the high energy coil to unwind. Accordingly, a guide 16 is mounted in a reel 11 on the flanges 24 thereof, as seen in FIG. 4. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, a toe extends rearwardly of the guide 16 from the foot 70 in the unwind direction. The toe 80 may be molded simultaneously with the guide 16 and forms an intcgral part thereof, or may be attached separately if needed. In any event, the toe is sufliciently elongated to be somewhat flexible, and is provided with a flat face portion (see also FIG. 5) 82, which is adapted to engage the undersurface of the flange 24 for the purposes of acting as a brake against reverse movement of the handle to unintentionally permit the tape to be unwound.

The flat surface 82 may be of the same material as the remainder of the toe, and roughened to provide sound friction engagement with the underside of the flange. Alternatively, an insert 84 may be used of a high friction material to give added resistance and wear characteristics. In any event, the toe is so formed that, when the guide 16 is positioned in the reel, the surface 82 is biased against the underside of the flange upon which the guide-rides so as to provide the necessary raking action. The rearward extension makes the brake self-energizing, thus adding to it usefulness.

As an additional safety feature, usable with the toe hereindescribed, slots or grooves 86 may be formed at convenient places around the reel on the inner surface of the flanges. The grooves 86 are of suflicient size to be engaged by the toe 8i), and the leading and trailing edges thereof are chamfered slightly so as to avoid any locking action which would prevent a user from unwinding the tape if he should so desire. Some locking action does take place, however, and as a result, if the force of the tape overcomes the frictional drag brought about by the toe 8% bearing against the undersurface of the flange, the tape will unwind until the toe 80 engages a groove 86, at which time, the bias of the toe will cause the same to move into the groove, locking the handle against further unintentional unwinding of the tape.

FIG. 6 is illustrative of still another embodiment of the present invention, and differs from the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 in the presentation of a series of serrations on the underside of the flanges 24 upon which the guide 16 rides. This represents still another way of inhibiting unintentional unwinding of the tape to the large amounts of stored energy resulting from the coiling thereof. Thus, the underside of the flange is provided with serrations 88 conveniently formed directly on the surface involved during the molding of the piece.

While serrations on the underside of the flange have been illustrated, it will be appreciated that serrations on any one or all of the associated surfaces of the guide 16 and the flanges 24 would have the same effect. Thus, serrations could be on either side of the flange 24 and on the feet 60 and 70 of the guide member, or on any combination of these surfaces. It will further be appreciated that by making the serrations large enough and placing them on opposed surfaces of the guide and reel flange, a locking effect might well be achieved to prevent unintentional unwinding of the tape. The serrations would be unlocked by depressing the guide prior to attempting to move the same about the reel flange. FIGS. 7 and 8 are illustrative of further alternative constructions, presenting modifications of the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 3 with a view towards controlling and containing the stored energy of the coiled tape. it has been found that, by subjecting the tape T to a tortuous path as it leaves the reel, the amount of energy required for it to pass between the surfaces 26 of the reel sections, is increased. Accordingly, the tendency of the tape to unwind by itself is significantly reduced by providing such a path against which the tape must move, if it is to.unwind itself.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, two such paths are illustrated. Referring specifically to FIG. 7, each section 20 of the reel, is modified by deforming the flange portion 24, and the edge 26 into a series of undulating hills and valleys, each hill 98 having its apex in the usual case, extending inwardly no further than the edge 26, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The valleys 92 are, therefore, easily formed by simply cutting away a portion of the flange, usually an amount at the deepest part thereof, of not more than half the width of the tape to be used.

In the FIG. 7 embodiment, and in keeping with the feature of the invention which permits both sections 20 to be identically formed, the hills of one of the sections 20 abut the hills of the associated section on the other side, and the valleys 92 are opposite one another. The tape T, in order to escape the reel, must negotiate these hills and valleys which apply substantial pressure to the edges of the-tape, resisting release thereof. The guide 16 will ride readily over this modified flange since the feet 69 and 70 will be sufficiently broad to maintain the guide in the proper relationship with respect to the reel.

FIG. 8 differs from the FIG. 7 embodiment only in the relationship between the hills and valleys of the respective sections 20. In FIG. 8, the sections 20 are so formed that the hills and valleys are complementary in their position, causing contact between the respective surfaces 26 over the entire reel. Thus, in order for the tape T to be released from the reel as shown in FIG. 8, it not only must spread the surfaces 26 apart a sufficient amount to escape, but must also move laterally to the left and right in order to negotiate the hills and valleys formed in the flanges 24. As a consequence, the force required for the tape to unwind itself successfully is greatly increased, making the fish tape holder, safe both in use and storage.

From the foregoing, it will now be clear that the present invention provides an electrical fish tape winder which constitutes a substantial improvement over prior devices of a comparable nature, in that the reel is non breakable, and virtually eliminates the danger of electrical shock to the user. Further, wear on the tape, as well as wear on the flanges of the reel itself, is greatly reduced by the elimination of the metal to metal contact which is characteristic of predecessor reels. Likewise, the construction of the reel is such that the cost of manufacture and assembly is significantly reduced. 1

I claim as my invention:

1. A fish tape winder comprising, in combination, a ring shaped reel for housing said tape comprising a pair of interfitted substantially identical members formed of a break resistant dielecric material, said members having a radially extending side wall outwardly terminating in an inturned flange, and means disposed radially inwardly of said flange for engaging a like member to form said reel, the combined width of said inturned flanges of said engaged members being greater than the combined width of said members at said engaging means so that said flanges are urged together in normal abutting relation under pressure, and a combination handle and guide member having a channel portion thereon adapted to embrace said flanges in bearing relation so as to be manually slidable about said reel on said flanges, means defining an aperture in said handle providing an opening to the inside of said reel, said tape passing between said flanges and through said opening, the forward edges of said flanges being spread at the point where said tape passes through said reel and frictionally engaged with said tape so as to control the position thereof relative to the reel as the tape is payed out and reeled in.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a pro-tuberance is provided on the inner diametrical wall so as to permit firm gripping of the reel with the hand while paying out and reeling in tape.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portion of said handle passing between said flanges is of a Width less than the width of said tape.

4. For use in a fish tape winder, a ring-shaped reel for housing tape, comprising a pair of interfitted substantially identical members formed of a shock resistant dielectric material, said members each having a radially extending side wall outwardly terminating in an inturned flange and an arcuate section defining an outer peripheral wall, spaced radially inwardly of said flange and extending in- Wardly from said side wall for a distance less than twice the length of said flange, said section being engageable with a complementary section of a like member to form said reel, the inner edges of said flanges being resiliently urged together in normal abutting relation under pressure, said tape being disposed in a torroidal chamber defined between said flanges, said side walls and said engaged arcuate sections, and adapted to be paid out between the edges of abutting flanges urged apart by the width of said tape.

5. A reel as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said member is formed with a plurality of arcuate sections adapted to be engaged with a complementary section on a like member to form said reel, each said section comprising a lateral inwardly extending wall spaced from said flange, walls on adjacent sections being radially offset with respect to each other by an amount approximating the thickness of said wall, and each said wall extending inwardly for a distance greater than the Width of said flange, but less than twice its width.

6. A reel as set forth in claim wherein each said member is formed with a plurality of arcuate sections adapted to be engaged with a complementary section on a like member to form said reel, a tongue located between said flange and said Wall, and projecting outwardly in parallel fashion with respect thereto, means on a like member defining a slot so positioned with re spect to said tongue as to receive the same to thereby form a bridge within the reel, the inner end of the tape being bent about said bridge to thereby anchor the same with respect to the reel.

7. A fish tape winder comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped reel for housing said tape comprising a pair of interfitted substantial identical members formed of a high impact nonconductive relatively resilient plastic, said members having a radially extending side wall terminating in an inturned flange, and a wall disposed radially inwardly of said flange for engaging a complementary wall of a like member to form said reel, the combined width of said inturned flanges of said engaged members being greater than the combined width of said members at said engaging walls so that said flanges are urged together in normal abutting relation under pressure, and a one-piece molded plastic handle and guide having a channel portion thereon adapted to embrace said flanges in bearing relation so as to be manually slidable about said reel on said flanges, means defining an aperture in said handle providing an opening to the inside of said reel, said tape passing between said flanges and through said opening, the forward edges of said flanges being spread at the point where said tape passes through said reel and frictionally engaged with said tape so as to control the position thereof relative to the reel as the tape is paid out and reeled in.

8. A fish tape Winder comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped reel for housing said tape comprising a pair of interfitted substantial identical members formed of a high impact nonconductive relatively resilient plastic, said members having a radially extending side wall terminating in an inturned flange, a surface of said flange having serrations thereon, and an edge wall disposed radially inwardly of said flange for engaging a complementary wall of a like member to form said reel, the combined width of said inturned flanges of said engaged members being greater than the combined width of said members at said engaging walls so that said flanges are urged together in normal abutting relation under pressure, and a plastic handle and guide having a channel portion thereon adapted to embrace said flanges in sliding relation so as to be manually movable about said reel on said flanges, the serrations thereon increasing the resistance to movement between said handle and said reel to thereby prevent unintentional movement thereof, means defining an aperture in said handle providing an opening to the inside of said reel, said tape passing between said flanges and through said opening, the forward edges of said flanges being spread at the point where said tape passes through said reel and frictionally engaged with said tape so as to control the position thereof relative to the reel as the tape is paid out and reeled in.

9. For use in a fish tape winder, a ring-shaped reel for housing tape, comprising a pair of interfitted members formed of a shock resistant dielectric material, said members each having a radially extending side wall outwardly terminating in an inturned flange and an arcuate section defining an outer peripheral wall, spaced radially inwardly of said flange and extending inwardly from said side wall for a distance less than twice the length of said flange, said section being engageable with a complementary section of a like member to form said reel, the inner edges of said flanges comprising a series of undulating hills and valleys resiliently urged together in normal abutting relation under pressure, said tape being disposed in a torroidal chamber defined between said flanges, said side walls and said engaged arcuate sections, and adapted to be paid out between the edges of abutting flanges urged apart by the width of said tape.

10. A reel as set forth in claim 9 wherein the hills on respective members are adjacent and in abutting relation.

11. A reel as set forth in claim 9 wherein the hills of one said member are adjacent to and interfitted into the valleys of the other said member so as to provide continuous line contact between said edges.

12. A reel as set forth in claim 9 wherein a surface of said flange on each said member is formed with serrations thereon.

13. A fish tape winder comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped reel for housing said tape comprising a pair of interfitted substantially identical members formed of a break resistant dielectric material, said members having a radially extending side wall outwardly terminating in an inturned flange, and means disposed radially inwardly of said flange for engaging a like member to form said reel, the combined width of said inturned flanges of said engaged members being greater than the combined width of said members at said engaging means so that said flanges are urged together in normal abutting relation under pressure, and a combination handle and guide member having a channel portion thereon adapted to embrace said flanges in bearing relation so as to be manually slidable about said reel on said flanges, a toe extending from a portion of said handle within said reel and adapted to engage said reel, said toe portion being biased into friction engagement with said flanges to act as a brake against unintentional unwinding of the tape in said reel, means defining an aperture in said handle providing an opening to the inside of said reel, said tape passing between said flanges being spread at the point where said tape passes through said reel and frictionally engaged with said tape so as to control the position thereof relative to the reel as the tape is paid out and reeled in.

14. A fish tape winder as set forth in claim 13 wherein said toe is provided with a high friction member for engagement with said flanges.

15. A fish tape winder as set forth in claim 13 wherein the surface of said flanges in engagement with said toe define spaced slots in suflicient size to receive said toe whereby locking engagement is possible between said handle and said flanges.

16. For use in a fish tape winder, having a reel containing said fish tape, said reel being formed with a pair of abutting flanges normally biased together and being spreadable to define an opening therebetween, a handle engaged with said flanges and having a slot therein through which said fish tape is passed into and out of said reel, said handle being formed with a brake member comprising a toe extending outwardly therefrom, and biased into engagement with the flanges of the reel, the surface of said brake adapted to bear against said flanges to resist unintentional movement of said handle about said reel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 516,282 3/1894 Shedd 24284.8 1,811,945 6/1931 Lange 24284.8 2,893,656 7/1959 Carlson 24284.8

FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner. N. L. MINTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FISH TAPE WINDER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RING-SHAPED REEL FOR HOUSING SAID TAPE COMPRISING A PAIR OF INTERFITTED SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL MEMBERS FORMED OF A BREAK RESISTANT DIELECTRIC MATERIAL, SAID MEMBERS HAVING A RADIALLY EXTENDING SIDE WALL OUTWARDLY TERMINATING IN AN INTURNED FLANGE, AND MEANS DISPOSED RADIALLY INWARDLY OF SAID FLANGE FOR ENGAGING A LIKE MEMBER TO FORM SAID REEL, THE COMBINED WIDTH OF SAID INTURNED FLANGES OF SAID ENGAGED MEMBERS BEING GREATER THAN THE COMBINED WIDTH OF SAID MEMBERS AT SAID ENGAGING MEANS SO THAT SAID FLANGES ARE URGED TOGETHER IN NORMAL ABUTTING RELATION UNDER PRESSURE, AND A COMBINATION 